Pathology - The Pathology Of Trauma

Question 1

What are the general effects of trauma?

Answer 1

• bleeding
• infection and sepsis
• specific organ/system effects
• multi-organ failure

Question 2

Give some complications of head injury

Answer 2

• raised intracranial pressure
• generalised eg reduced Glasgow coma score
• infection
• temporary/permanent neurological defects

Question 3

Give some possible effects of abdominal injury

Answer 3

• liver laceration
• spleen laceration
• intestinal perforation
• pancreatic injury

Question 4

Give some risks of damage to long bones

Answer 4

• bleeding
• vascular damage
• nerve damage
• fat embolism

Question 5

Give some effects of crush injury

Answer 5

• tissue loss
• fractures
• vascular injury
• compartment syndromes
• rhabdomyolysis

Question 6

What are the systemic effects of burns?

Answer 6

• release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators
• increased vascular permeability which leads to loss of fluid and protein
• decreased myocardial contractility (causes hypotension and end organ hypoperfusion)
• respiratory changes
• metabolic changes (rate can increase dramatically)
• down-regulation of immune response

Question 7

What is SIRS?

Answer 7

“Systemic inflammatory response syndrome” - the body’s response to infection, inflammation and stress

Question 8

How does multi-organ dysfunction syndrome present?

Answer 8

• acute kidney injury
• acute respiratory distress syndrome
• cardiac dysfunction
• encephalopathy
• gastrointestinal disturbance
• liver dysfunction
• coagulopathy
• bone marrow suppression